Los Altos Hills

Welcome to Los Altos Hills

A residential-only neighborhood tucked into the hills west of Silicon Valley
Though one of the smallest communities in Santa Clara County, Los Altos Hills is anything but slight. Compared to some of its equally upscale neighbors, Los Altos Hills takes its residential lifestyle seriously. In banning commercial zones and development within the city, Los Altos Hills leaves its almost nine square miles available exclusively for use as single-family housing or dedicated open space (limits on land use also restrict the development of multifamily units). The town’s zoning requires lot sizes to be a minimum of one acre, allowing for spacious properties. As one of the wealthiest cities in the U.S., the elegance of Los Altos Hills is found both in its location and its homes. Distinctly rural and spread across beautiful rolling terrain, house styles range from subtle, understated ranch homes to increasingly opulent estates, many of which have stunning views of the Bay.

What to Love

• An authentic residential experience
• No commercial developments
• Rural character but close to Silicon Valley’s energy
• The Pathway System of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails

A Lifestyle Difficult to Duplicate

Rural. Residential. Relaxed. Few places in the Bay Area, or anywhere for that matter, can claim this perfect trifecta of living. From the town’s commitment to open spaces, including Byrne Preserve and Murrieta Ridge, to its staunch development policies limiting commercial areas, Los Altos Hills is committed to creating an unspoiled environment that is ideal for raising a family, celebrating an empty nest, or settling in for retirement. The area also boasts several preserves dedicated to hiking, including Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve, the Stanford Dish, Pearson-Arastradero Preserve, Hidden Villa Park, and Foothills Park. To live here is to reject the fast pace of Silicon Valley and the greater Bay Area. But no worries. One more idyllic aspect of living in Los Altos Hills is that you’re never too far away from the best of the Bay Area.

Dining, Shopping & Entertainment

As one of the few midpeninsula residential-only enclaves, there’s little to speak of when it comes to dining and nightlife within the town boundaries. But there are plenty of options right next door. Head east on Burke Road and you’ll cross Foothill Expressway into downtown Los Altos. Here you’ll find topnotch restaurants and entertainment and shopping. 

Things to Do

Los Altos Hills’ hidden gem is its magnificent 80-mile Pathway System. The trail network was made possible with the blessing of locals and through the generosity of their donations and approved easements. In its current form, the trail system links much of the community together, reaching into practically every corner of town. The trails are open to hiking, jogging, biking, and horseback riding. Every year, the town gathers together for the Pathways Run/Walk that celebrates the area’s tight-knit sense of community. As evidenced by allowing horses on the Pathway System, Los Altos Hills has an active equestrian community. The city owns and operates Westwind Community Barn, a state-of-the-art horse boarding and training facility, where its annual Hoedown brings many multi-generational residents together. 

Schools

Palo Alto Unified School District serves the northern areas of Los Altos Hills. In the southern part of town, children attend neighboring Los Altos School District as well as Pinewood. Foothill College also operates within the town’s borders.